Uber Co-Founder Travis Kalanick Launches Robotics Startup “Atoms” Focused on Industrial Automation
Travis Kalanick, co-founder and former CEO of Uber, has launched a new startup called Atoms, focused on developing specialized industrial robots designed to automate tasks across sectors such as mining, transportation, and food production.
The company’s vision centers on building robots engineered to perform highly specific tasks within industrial environments, a strategy Kalanick believes can significantly improve productivity and operational efficiency in those industries.
The launch is part of a restructuring and expansion of his previous company, City Storage Systems, which he founded after leaving Uber. The business has now been rebranded and redirected toward developing robotic systems based on what Kalanick describes as “physical AI,” designed to carry out tasks in real-world environments.
The company will operate through three primary divisions: Atoms Food, which focuses on building infrastructure for the food industry; Atoms Mining, aimed at improving the efficiency of mining operations; and Atoms Transport, which will serve as a mobility platform and operational base for robotic systems.
Investment in specialized robotics has increased in recent years, as such systems are often seen as delivering clearer economic returns compared with attempts to build multipurpose humanoid robots. Those broader robotics projects still face major technical challenges, particularly in navigating unpredictable environments and developing advanced reasoning capabilities.
Kalanick stepped down as CEO of Uber in 2017 under pressure from investors and later left the company’s board in 2019. Since then, he has returned to entrepreneurship with a focus on technology ventures centered on automation and robotics.